Gunner Government insists August election will happen

THE Gunner Government has rejected calls to postpone the upcoming NT election on August 22 despite concerns of sending people to the polls during the coronavirus crisis

People at a mobile polling booth at Warruwi on Goulburn Island east of Darwin on the first day of mobile polling for the 2013 federal election.

THE Gunner Government has rejected calls to postpone the upcoming NT election on August 22 despite concerns of sending people to the polls during the coronavirus crisis.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison remained adamant that the election would go ahead as planned on August 22.

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“The Electoral Commission is looking at the very important questions of how we make sure that in the environment of COVID-19 that we do this safely,” Ms Manison said.

“It is important that we hold the election on August 22 because Territorians have only given us permission to be in government until August 22.

“That date is locked in by legislation.

“It will be the will of the Territory as to who is in government after that date.”

It comes as Territory Alliance leader Terry Mill has called for the election to be pushed back for at least two months due to the coronavirus.

CLP Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro also agreed the health of Territorians should come first.

“There are undoubtedly logistical, practical and democratic challenges to resolve if the election goes ahead in August,” she said.

The NT Electoral Commission has had to suspend it’s remote enrolment program, scheduled to start this month, due to the ongoing coronavirus.

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“Local Government field officers had also been conducting enrolment activities during their visits to remote communities; however, with the restrictions on travel these trips have been suspended,” a commission spokesman said.

A spokesman for the Chief Minister said the NT Electoral Commission has months to prepare for the election so that it can be done safely and securely.

“The Chief Minister has been clear that Territorians get to decide their government, not him and not coronavirus,” he said.

ELECTION SCHEDULE:

Issue of writ and nominations open — Thursday, 30 July

Close of electoral roll — Friday, 31 July

Close of nominations — Thursday, 6 August

Declaration of nominations — Thursday, 6 August

Early voting centres open — Monday, 10 August

Mobile voting commences — Monday, 10 August

Postal vote mail-out commences — Monday, 10 August

Overseas postal dispatch ceases — Tuesday, 18 August